Aug 31, 2013

*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This book is the story of two girls, Roxy and Jazz, living in two completely different realms in a world where each realm has the power of an element. Roxy lives in the Helian realm, the fire realm, and is the grandaughter of the current King. She is also a Protector, which means she can use the element of her realm, fire. On the other hand Jazz, is living in the Arcan realm, the air realm. She has no idea where she came from since she found as a baby and she doesn't really look like anyone in her realm or any of the other realms for that matter. She is also the best friend of the Arcan prince and is keeping a very unique secret.

When the Helian King invites representatives of each realm to visit his Kingdom everyone is very suspicious but no one even imagines the true purpose behind his invitation. And it's worse than anything they can think of, because the Helians are hidding their most dangerous power. They can Control the mind of other people.

First off let's start with what I enjoyed. The world that Heather James has created is amazing. It has structure, it's well built, it has a compelling history and people with amazing powers in it. The whole elememtal powers part of the story was the other thing I truly enjoyed. I simply love books were the characters can manipulate the elements. Then there is the mystery behind Jazz and her growing powers, which it's not such a big mystery really cause there are plenty of hints about it and then we learn about the history of the realms and you can pretty much guess where she is came from. I even have a theory about who her parents are, specifically. But still it's a good add to the story.

Unfortunately there were also a lot of things I didn't enjoy that much one of them being the characters. I couldn't connect to them. I didn't find any of them interesting or someone I could feel sympathy for. I don't know how that is since both of the main characters were going through a lot. Still if I were to pick a favourite character it'd be Brae and I wasn't a huge fan of him either. Then there was the story. It was slow. It didn't have any real action until the very last chapters and even then I didn't feel part of the action. It felt more like someone was telling what was going on instead of showing me.

All in all, it was an interesting read. I don't know why I felt so disconnected with the characters but that might not be the case with someone else reading the story. So if you are a fan of books with characters using the elements this could be a good read.

Aug 28, 2013

Spark is the second book in the Elemental series. This book is about Gabriel, the twin who can control fire and Layne, a geeky, wallflower from his class. The Merrick brothers have survived everything that the Guide in the first book put them through and now they decide to keep low, but there is a serial arson on the lose and the obvious suspect is Gabriel.

There are no words to describe how amazing this book was. Gabriel and Nick are my two favourite characters in the series and this book brought to light so many aspects of Gabriel's characters that we didn't see in the first one, even though Nick pissed me off. This book has so much more inner fight and emotion than the first one. Not so much action but I didn't even notice at all. The relationship between Gabriel and Layne, and how they got involved in each others lives was brilliant. I loved the chemistry between them. Even though I am not a huge fan of Layne, I still prefer Becca from book one, she was a great main character. She had such a messed up family and a few secrets of her own that made me really curious about what was going on.

The chemistry between the brothers is still amazing. I love those four and I've come to really like Hunter too. Don't know how I feel about the next book being about him though. I think I'm going to miss the Merrick household.

Anyways, I don't know how much of a review this is. But I loved this book so much that I can't really go into detail about anything. The Elemental series is one of my all time favourites. Brigid Kemmerer is a genious. Everyone has to read these books now.

For a short story this one was a huge shock. I didn't see this coming at all. Nick has a huge secret which only makes me love him more. He was my favourite character in the beginning but then he started going out with Quinn, who I hate and he kind of lost his charm, but after this short story he is back on the top. I honestly can't wait to read his book, book #4. If only I had the third one and the fourth one was out.

Aug 26, 2013

Today I welcome Cambria Hebert on my blog for the cover reveal of her upcoming novel Tease.

TEASE COVER REVEAL!!

Cover reveals are so fun aren't they?! I am so thrilled today to reveal my new cover, TEASE, part of the Take It Off series. Without any delay let me show you the goodness!

TEASE Blurb

***This is a New Adult Contemporary novel. It is not intended for Young adult readers and contains sexual content and graphic language.***

You can look but you can’t touch…

Harlow McAlister is a broke college student. When her tuition assistance is taken away she is faced with a choice: admit to her mother she couldn’t hack it on her own or make a lot of money fast.
So she gets a good paying job.
As a stripper.
She thought it would be easy but it turns out being sexy is a lot harder than she thought. When a few mishaps work in her favor she manages to hang on to her job and catch the eye of the Mad Hatter’s best looking bartender, Cam.
She’s also caught the eye of someone who wants to do more than look, someone who’s decided that she’s nothing but a tease.
As the clothes come off, Harlow finds herself caught between lust and murder. The only thing she knows for sure is that her new risqué job is a lot more than she bargained for.

Additional information about TEASE

Title: Tease

Series: Take It Off (a new adult contemporary series of stand alone books)

Aug 24, 2013

***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

If you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.

Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away. She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash. And she almost is too.

Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die. The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.

Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.

As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.

Aug 15, 2013

Today is my stop on the Switch Blog Tour. I am so excited to be part of the tour, 'cause let me tell you, this book was AMAZING. I loved everything about it so much, especially the characters. So, I am super thrilled that Janelle agreed to cast the characters for this book. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?

Author Bio
Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

Check out the books in her EDEN series. Click the images for the Goodreads pages.

That’s
all for the boys! But not to worry, each one will find his special girl, so the
cast will definitely be expanding! Look out for Roman and Bridgette’s story
next in the New World Series!

Order
of Books to come in the New World Series:

Pete’s
story – Switch, August 27th, 2013

Roman’s
story – Masked, coming early 2014

Tyler’s
story – unnamed, pending release date

Trent’s
story – unnamed, pending release date

Garrett’s
story – unnamed, pending release date

Seamus’
story – unnamed, pending release date

My ReviewHow is it with Janelle and her books that they always make me fall in love with the characters and the world that they live in. Switch is a NA novel and the beginning of an amazing new series. Knowing Janelle this series is only going to get better, so I am really excited I read the first book and can't wait for the second one.Switch is set in the New World. It's 2040 and the world's population has been reduced to 1/3 of what it used to be. Two sisters, Charlotte and Bridgette, are on opposite sides of the war unaware that the other one is still alive and well. Charlotte can read minds and she's the newly added member of the tyrant's army, enjoying the high life, while Bridgette is living with the lowers and hanging out with the rebels, even though she doesn't want to be involved with anything that has to do with this war. After a surprise visit at a rebels' meeting, Charlotte, or actually Dinah, since she changed her name, is ordered to go undercover with the rebels and try to find out their secrets. But one of the rebels has figured out that she is a girl, something she's being trying to keep a secret for the longest time, and it's that rebel that she finds herself drawn to.I loved this book. The characters are all amazing. I love books about sisters and I couldn't wait for Charlotte and Brigdette to meet again after five years of being separated. They were both amazing characters, even though they were so different. Charlotte was more kick-ass, while Bridgette was more caring and compassionate. But the characters I adored the most are the guys of this book. Roman, the man who took Charlotte to live with Ludwig(the tyrant), the McKay brothers, and of course Seamus, their friend. We mostly read about Pete McKay, who, let me tell you, is totally swoon-worthy. He is hot. He can play the guitar and sing. He is smart (he is the second in command of the rebels). And he is kick-ass. Roman on the other hand is more of the sarcastic type, which I adore. And the next book is going to be about him so I am super excited.Then, there was the amazing New World that Janelle created. The new order of things, the tyrant, the rebels, the fights between the two, all of the above made this world vibrant and full of life. Janelle, once more, lets us see through the eyes of both sides making it hard to pick one, not because bith sides are mostly good, like in her EDEN series, but because you can see that both sides are kind of bad.All in all, I am really glad I started this series. And now I am really sad that book two is not out yet. This is a new favourite and I can't wait to read more.

Aug 14, 2013

In a war between the humans and the inhabitants of the sea—humans will lose. Xanthus Dimitriou—the most lethal Dagonian to rise from the ocean—is on a mission to save mankind from annihilation. But first there’s one small thing he needs to do… kill a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair.

Killing her doesn’t start out as part of his plan. He entrenches himself deep in the human world. Aligning himself with his enemies, he prepares to send them to Triton to face their punishment. Then Sara Taylor rolls onto the scene. Xanthus knows at once she’s a criminal. And her crime? Being born. She’s a human/Dagonian half-breed, an abomination. Killing her should be an easy job. All he has to do is break into her apartment, slit her throat, and feed her body to the sharks. Simple, right? Wrong. If only she weren’t so beautiful, so innocent, so sweet...

Saving the world may have to wait. It appears Xanthus has a woman to save. But protecting her may cost him his own life.

Excited about this upcoming release? Join the release party today and celebrate the release of Rising with awesome prizes and fun games!

About Holly Kelly

Follow the Rising Series On Facebook:

Holly Kelly is a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation--She hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls.

Holly was born in Utah but lived in Salina, Kansas until she was 13 and in Garland, Texas until she was 18. She's now back in Utah--"happy valley". Holly is married to her wonderful husband, James, and the two of them are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (or course), martial arts, visual arts, and spending time with family.

Holly Kelly's first published book is: Rising. Rising was published by Clean Teen Publishing on September 6, 2013.

Aug 8, 2013

In the final installment of the Eden series, the King’s army prepares for their biggest battle yet. Aiden and his friends set out to find Aziz in his hidden mountain fortress and bring the war in Eden to an end. But secrets are being discovered along the way, and the weight of them could ruin lives. Aiden is coping with loss and the need for vengeance, as well as changes in himself he doesn’t quite understand. Thousands of lives are depending on him to stop Aziz once and for all, and this time Aiden is more than ready and confident he’ll be the one to do it. The stakes are higher than he ever anticipated on his journey east.

Elisa is embarking on a new phase of her life. She has the man she loves beside her, their group of friends have become stronger, and the end of war is in sight. Now she just needs to see it through so she can finally have her happily ever after. But she knows the truth that the others don’t, and it will test her loyalty and friendship more than anything ever has.

With two brothers side by side, and an army ready for war, the only thing left to be seen is who will live and who will die.

Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of your journey into Eden.

Author BioJanelle Stalder is the author of the amazing Eden series as well as the New World series that will be released late this month.

Check out the rest books in the series. Click the images for the Goodreads pages.

Aug 4, 2013

Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week. For more information about how this feature works and how to join in, click here.

This week I received some books that I was really looking forward to. So I am very excited :)

Physical Books:

The Evil Within: Something is terribly wrong with this series and me. I read the first book and honestly wasn't a big fan. I gave it 2 stars. But after all this time the story keeps coming back to my mind and I really want to know what will happen next so I couldn't help but actually buy the next book.

Wonderstruck: I am so excited to finally get my physical copy of this one. My drabble (100 words) is featured in this anthology. I can't wait to finally read all the other stories in it. Have heard some pretty amazing things about some of them.

E-Books:

The 13th Warning: I already read this one. It was a very fast read and the story was cute but it wasn't one of Stine's best.

Switch: I just received a review copy of this book yesterday and... OH.MY.GOD! I can't wait to dive into the new world that Janelle has created. I am a huge fan of her EDEN series, I love everything about those books and I am pretty sure I am going to love this book too. The blog tour for this one starts on August 12th so be sure to check it out.

Aug 1, 2013

Today I have a very exciting Cover Reveal. Cambria Hebert has written a NA contemporary series. Judging from Charmed this book is going to be hot! Anyways, I will Cambria bo all the talking...

Hey everyone!!
SO happy to be here today to kick of a brand new series in a brand new genre for me!!!! TORCH is the first book in the Take It Off series. This is a New Adult Contemporary series that is recommended for readers 18+.
Before I explain more let me show you the cover!!

I am in love with this cover.

TORCH Blurb

***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

If you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.

Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away. She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash. And she almost is too.

Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die. The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.

Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.

As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.

Additional Information about TORCH

Title: Torch

Series: Take It Off (A sexy series of stand alone novels all in the new adult contemporary genre)

Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Author: Cambria Hebert

Published by Cambria Hebert

Release Date: August 23, 2013 (ebook will be $2.99)

Format: Ebook and Paperback

Cover Design by: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design

Be part of the 3 day Release Day Blitz!

There will be a 3 day release blitz event hosted by Girls *Heart* Books. You can sign up to be part of the blitz here:

ABOUT CAMBRIA HEBERTCambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

With A Feast for Crows, Martin delivers the long-awaited fourth volume of the landmark series that has redefined imaginative fiction and stands as a modern masterpiece in the making.

After centuries of bitter strife, the seven powers dividing the land have beaten one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. Now, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—emerge from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges of the terrible times ahead. Nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages, are coming together to stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors.

Burning Sky (Sora Gate, #1)
Now available on Wattpad
New chapters added every Tuesday.